Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC)

The IMLC is the largest interstate licensing compact for physicians. It streamlines the process of getting a full, unrestricted medical license in any of its 42 operational member states — typically in a fraction of the time a direct state application would take. Three additional states (AR, NM, RI) have enacted the compact but are not yet issuing licenses.

Who can apply

The IMLC is open to physicians holding the MD or DO credential. To qualify for a Letter of Qualification, a physician must already hold a full, unrestricted medical license in one IMLC member state (the "state of principal license") and meet the compact's eligibility floor: graduation from an accredited medical school, completion of an ACGME or AOA accredited residency program, passage of USMLE or COMLEX within three attempts per step, and either current board certification or completion of residency within the past five years.

Physicians with disciplinary action, license restriction, malpractice judgments, or criminal history on their record are typically ineligible and must apply for state licenses individually.

Member states

The IMLC currently has 42 operational member jurisdictions, making it the most widely adopted medical-practice compact in the United States. Three additional states (AR, NM, RI) have enacted the compact but are not yet issuing licenses.

Members: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

last_verified: 2026-05 · sourced from data/compacts.json

How to apply

Applications are filed through the IMLC Commission's central portal. You designate a state of principal license, submit your credentialing materials once, and then request licenses from each member state you want practice rights in. Each requested state pays its own fee separately.

Apply through the IMLC Commission →

Fees and processing time

The Letter of Qualification fee is approximately $700 paid to the state of principal license, plus a per-state fee for each additional state (typically $300-$700 per state). Processing for the Letter of Qualification is typically 2-4 weeks once complete materials are received. Confirm current fees directly with the IMLC Commission. last_verified: 2026-05.

How TeleVerify uses the IMLC

When your NPI shows an MD or DO credential, TeleVerify auto-detects IMLC eligibility and asks you to confirm enrollment in your provider profile. You enter your state of principal license and the list of IMLC member states where you've received state licenses. From then on, every telehealth session where the patient is located in one of your IMLC-licensed states is automatically classified as compliant_compact — no per-session state license lookup needed. Sessions where the patient is in a non-IMLC state (or an IMLC state you haven't yet licensed into) still route through the direct state-license pathway.

Frequently asked questions

Who qualifies for an IMLC Letter of Qualification?
Physicians (MD or DO) who hold a full, unrestricted license in a member state and meet the IMLC's eligibility criteria: graduated from an accredited medical school, completed ACGME or AOA accredited residency, passed USMLE/COMLEX within three attempts per step, are board certified or within five years of residency completion, and have no disciplinary history.
Can I add states to my IMLC coverage after the initial Letter of Qualification?
Yes. Once you hold a Letter of Qualification from your state of principal license, you can request licenses from any other IMLC member state at any time by paying that state's fee through the IMLC application portal. The Letter of Qualification itself is valid for 365 days.
What if I move my state of principal license?
You can designate a new state of principal license once you hold an unrestricted license there, but you must obtain a new Letter of Qualification from that state. Notify TeleVerify so your profile reflects the change — compact eligibility is verified against your current state of principal license.
How does TeleVerify know I'm enrolled in the IMLC?
TeleVerify auto-detects MD and DO credentials from your NPI lookup and asks you to confirm IMLC enrollment in your provider profile. Once confirmed, every session where the patient is located in an IMLC member state is automatically tagged compliant_compact instead of requiring a direct state license lookup.
Is California currently an IMLC member?
No. California, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, and New York are not currently IMLC members. To treat patients located in these states, physicians need a direct state license or a state-specific telehealth registration where one exists.
Does the IMLC apply to telehealth specifically, or all forms of care?
The IMLC provides full medical licenses — it is not telehealth-specific. Once you hold an IMLC-issued license in a member state, you can practice in person or via telehealth in that state under whatever modality rules apply locally.
What's the difference between the IMLC and the PA Compact or APRN Compact?
The IMLC covers physicians (MD and DO) only. Physician assistants are covered by the PA Licensure Compact, nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses by the APRN Compact (where available) or the Nurse Licensure Compact for the RN credential. Each operates independently with its own member-state list.
⚖️ Reference information — not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with your compliance officer, state licensing board, or a telehealth attorney before relying on this for clinical or business decisions.

Related TeleVerify resources